Background
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) gave the states more flexibility in determining transportation solutions and required the development of a Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) continued this flexibility.
MnDOT responded by decentralizing the program decision-making process to a more regional level (i.e. the districts). The Area Transportation Partnerships were established by each district to facilitate broader input to the project selection process. ATP-7 covers the 13 counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Nobles, Rock, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan.
The 2012 MAP-21 federal transportation bill introduced a more performance based approach, especially in regards to the National Highway System. The 2015 FAST Act is the current federal transportation bill which continues to emphasize the same areas of performance as its predecessor.
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
MAPS
Capital Highway Investment Proposal - State Highways (CHIP)
ATP-7 operating procedures and policies
Membership
Members of ATP-7 include:
- 4 MnDOT District 7 representatives
- 2 Regional Development Commission representatives
- 4 County representatives
- 3 City (more than 5,000 population) representatives
- 2 Transit representatives
- 1 Mankato / North Mankato Area Planning Organization representative
MnDOT is responsible for staff support of the ATP-7.
Transit |
Mankato / North Mankato Area Planning Organization |
Shawn Schloesser
Greater Mankato Transit |
Pat LaCourse
Brown County Transit
507-359-6562 |
Seth Greenwood
Nicollet County
507-931-1760 |
MAPO Alternate |
Cities |
Troy Nemmers, P.E.
City of Fairmont
507-238-3942 |
Mike Kuhle
City of Worthington
507-360-9012 |
Jeff Johnson
City of Mankato
507-387-8640 |
|
Counties |
Ryan Thilges
Blue Earth County Engineer
507-304-4031 |
Don Wachal
Jackson County Commissioner
507-847-4182 |
Nick Klisch, Cottonwood County Engineer
507-831-1389 |
Jack Kolars
Nicollet County Commissioner
507-327-9987 |
Regional Development Commission (RDC) |
Richard Peterson Southwest RDC
952-237-9813 |
Robert Goblirsch
Region Nine
(507) 794-3650 |
Alt.
Rosemary Bruce-White
Southwest RDC
507-836-1633 |
Alt. Joel Hanif
Region 9
507-389-8870 |
MnDOT |
Sam Parker
Planning Director (acting)
507-508-3232 |
Greg Ous
District Engineer
507-304-6101 |
Zak Tess
Asst. District Engineer
507-317-8168 |
Lisa Bigham
State Aid Engineer
507-304-6105 |
Activities/Schedule
Each year, ATPs develop an Area Transportation Improvement Program (ATIP) to incorporate into the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). ATIPs, which span a minimum of four years, include all projects that seek federal aid highway, state trunk highway, and federal transit sources of funding.
To distribute the funds, a Statewide Performance Program allows Minnesota to meet performance targets on the National Highway System.
ATP-7 solicits projects for:
- Surface Transportation Program (small urban and rural road and bridge; and transit capital)
- Transportation Alternatives Program (within a statewide framework)
These projects are ranked by categories with set investment targets, and then integrated into the four-year ATIP. Project categories include:
- National Highway System
- State roads and bridges
- Rural county roads and bridges
- Small urban (more than 5,000 population) city streets and bridges
- Transportation alternatives
- Transit capital
Schedule of activities
- November–January: Solicit projects
- February: Evaluate and prioritize projects
- March: Draft ATIP
- April: Public comment and review period
- May: Submit draft ATIP to MnDOT Central Office
- June: Draft STIP review and comment
- July: STIP approval by Commissioner
2021 timeline (PDF 20 KB)